[April
16] WELLINGTON, New Zealand--Sealegs
International Ltd has set a new World Record for the
fastest crossing of Cook Strait in New Zealand by an amphibious
craft. Photo: Sealegs CEO David McKee
Wright and Brendon Hodge-centre- come ashore at Owhiro Bay
after successfully completing the Cook Strait crossing(enlarge
photo)
Sealegs set the record by crossing the notorious
40km stretch of water in just 47 minutes, by driving a 6.1m
Sealegs amphibious craft fitted with an Evinrude 200hp E-Tec
outboard motor.

Sealegs
chief executive David McKee Wright said the trip -the first
recorded by an amphibious vehicle-was a "dream crossing"
and he was keen to "celebrate with a cold one".
"We got to about 50knots [93kmh] there, we were really
flying."

The vehicle, which left Arapawa Island in
the Marlborough Sounds, was supported by a Coastguard boat.

Shareholder Brendon Hodge: "I'm absolutely stoked. It
was great to see the boat working in action. It gives me a
helluva lot of confidence in the product."

Sealegs
spokesman Greg Ewen said this success increased the product's
"credibility". "It demonstrates the product's
capability and increases the public profile. It endorses the
fact that we're got a product that's more than capable."

The
inflatable craft also has wheels so it can be driven on the
beach. The revolutionary amphibious boats which are designed
and manufactured in New Zealand, have the capability to seamlessly
enter and exit the water at the push of a button and have
already proved popular with waterfront property owners, emergency
services and people with restricted mobility.

Sealegs
chief executive David McKee Wright: " Sealegs
boats are not just an innovative idea. They are a
serious piece of equipment, with signifiant boating abilities-both
on the water and off".

In 2007 Sealegs set a world record for the
fastest water speed in an amphibious vehicle on Sydney Harbour,
and in 2005 it smashed a record previously held by Sir Richard
Branson for the fastest English Channel crossing in an amphibious
vehicle.